Combined target,disk markers,and ball game



April 7, 1970 MIA. BRADBURY 3,504,914

COMBINED TARGET DISK MARKERS, AND BALL GAME Filed Jan. 25, 1968 Marvin A. Bradbury INVENTOR.

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United States Patent U.S. Cl. 273-118 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An outdoor game for two, three, or four players. Fiveinch, twenty-four-ounce balls are controllably rolled or bowled, never lofted, from sector-shaped corners of a rectangular court with a view toward touching or lightly striking a distinctive colored target ball which is movably perched or spotted on a marker disk centered within the confines of the court. Five balls, five companion markers and other facilities are provided and used in keeping with the prescribed rules of play. Five thin flat sheet marker disks are removably employed to designate the four corner boundary markers and the court center marker disk.

This invention relates, generally stated, to certain new and useful improvements in a simple, practical, fun and interest provoking game characterized by a rectangular court preferably, but not necessarily, laid out to delineate a suitably isolated flat area twenty feet by forty feet, provided with designated corners and which, in conjunction with feasible appurtenances or equipment, is used pursuant to prescribed rules and regulations, and brings into play such capabilities and skills as have been shown to appeal to and meet with the approval of competitiveminded youngsters as well as adults.

In carrying out the invention the precise center spot of the court is marked with a vividly red marker which serves to seat a correspondingly red target balk-designated herein as a TARGOT BALL. The four corners are identified by nailed-down markers. To the ends desired there are (1) white markers and (2) black markers. The white markers designate HOME CORNERS for a player, or players, using white balls while similar but black markers designate the HOME CORNERS for the player, or players, bowling with black balls from their required corners.

With respect now to the equipment, there are five balls; one red ball, two black balls and two white balls. One white ball and likewise one black ball, is distinguishably marked with a band, dot, symbol or other character to minimize confusion. Each ball is five inches in diameter and weighs 24 ounces. There are five ground markers, one red, two black and two white. These markers are flat, pliable plastic discs 3 inches in diameter with or without the letters S-C-U-T-L-B-A-L-L thereon. The center of each disc has a inch hole to receive an aluminum nail to hold the marker in place on the ground.

It seems advisable to point out at the outset that the playing field or court, the prescribed accessories used in combination therewith, and the accompanying balls constitute the facilities which, while quite simple in and of themselves, nevertheless contribute their conjoint functions toward providing a unique game. However, and to provide certain background information it may well be helpful to introduce here a glossary of terms and nomenice clature which is aptly suitable for acquainting the reader with aspects of the description which will follow. For example, SCUTL means one complete turn around the aforementioned court when each of the players has had his play. SCUTLR/S stands for the winner or winners. SOUTL-OFF is the term applicable to a play-off in the event of a tie score. SCUTLB'UT identifiies the loser (or losers). TARGOT BALL is the target ball, more specifically, the aforementioned red ball. The expression PLAY- ING BALL has reference to the white and black balls, which are suitably paired. HOME CORNER identifies any one of the four segmental or base-like corners. OP- POSITE CORNER is the corner diagonally across. CEN- TER'MARKER constitutes a red plastic (disk or equivalent type) marker designating the precise center of the bowling field or court. CORNER MARKER is either of the paired white or black marker disks. Finally, OUT OF BO UNDS means any ball or balls resting halfway over a marginal (side or end) boundary line and con side'red outside the court. Balls coming to rest in any HOME CORNER are also out-of-bounds.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of an outdoor game constructed in accordance with the invention and showing diagrammatically the delineated playing field or court, all five markers, and all five balls.

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective showing a single one of the apertured discs which, in practice, is used as one of the five markers appearing in FIG. 1. 'FIG. 3 is a view showing the manner in which the marker discs are nailed or otherwise anchored when in a playing position on the ground or other surface.

FIG. 4 is a view showing several of the five balls, more particularly, a white ball at the left with a distinguishing marker, 2. black ball at the right with a similar but distinguishing marker and a plain red target ball which is used in the manner shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 1 the playing field or court is denoted by the numeral 6. This court is adapted to be laid out on a flat-surfaced area and is marginally delineated bya pair of spaced parallel longitudinal side boundary lines 8 whose terminal ends are joined by a complemental pair of transverse boundary lines 10. These thus connected lines 8 and 10 define a rectangle, more particularly, a rectangular area which may be and preferably is twentyfeet wide and forty-feet long. Each right angled corner portion is provided within the marginal limits of the court with an arcuate line 12 having its ends joined with coacting portions of the boundary lines 8 and 10 and thus defining one of the four segmental corner zones, two at the left in FIG. 1 denoted at 14 and 16, respectively, and two like zones at the right denoted at 18 and 19 respectively. The precise center spot of the court is marked with a vividly red marker disc 20- which in practice serves to seat a correspondingly red target ball 22 which is designated, more specifically, as a TARGOT BALL. The four corner zones 14, 16, 18 and 19 are designated as HOME CORNERS. In addition to the red marker disc 20, which is used for spotting the ball 22, there are four CORNER MARKERS. Two of these corner markers are white and are diagonally opposite and denoted by the numeral 24 and the other two diagonally opposite markers are black and denoted at 26. More specifically each marker comprises a relatively thin plastic disc which as shown in FIG. 2 has an aperture or hole 27 therein to accommodate the headed end of a holddown nail 28 in FIGURE 3. Except for distinguishing colors (red, white and black) all of the marker discs are the same in construction and are nailed down in the manner shown in FIG. 3.

With reference again to the matter of balls it will be noted that there are five balls. The single red ball 22 constitutes the aforementioned TARGOT BALL. The two white balls are conveniently designated in FIG. 1, the one at the left being denoted by the numeral 30 and the diagonally opposite companion ball, at the right, by the numeral 32. This ball 32 is plain while the ball 30 has an appropriate marker thereon for example a circumferentially encircling band. Manifestly, any other character could be employed but,.and as shown in FIG. 4 the band on ball 30 is conveniently designated by the numeral 34. The same principle applies to the two black balls one of which is denoted (at the right in FIG. 1) by the numeral 36. This ball is provided with an indicating band or marker 38. The companion diagonally opposite black ball, which is all black, is denoted by the numeral 40.

It is reiterated that there are five balls, one red, two black and two white with one white ball 30 having a distinguishing mark 34 of a suitable type on it and the other black ball 36 with a distinguishing mark 38 on it. Each ball is five inches in diameter and weighs twentyfour ounces. There are five ground markers 20, 24 and 26. Each marker is flat and made of pliable plastic and is three inches in diameter with or without the name of the game (not shown) appearing thereon. The center of each marker disc has a A inch hole 27 for reception of the aluminum holddown nail 28.

The manner of use and rules for playing the game can, of course, vary, as determined in advance by the players. By preference the sequence of the players can be established by rolling a PLAYING BALL 30 or 36, for example, toward the centered TARGOT BALL 22 but not hitting it. The player who hits the TARGOT BALL becomes the first one to roll. If no one hits the TARGOT BALL, the one farthest away rolls or goes second and so on. This step is applicable only for the first SCUTL. In the next SCUTL, the player to the left of the one who started will play first. In a game involving partners one on each side will roll a PLAYING BALL at the TARGOT BALL or, if preferred, a coin can be flipped to decide which one will play first. The object is to roll, not throw or loft, the PLAYING BALL as close as possible to or to actually strike the TARGOT BALL. Any balls may be struck. If the TARGOT BALL is struck and moved, it is then played on from wherever it stops by the next player. If the TARGOT BALL is knocked out of bounds, it must be replaced on the center marker before play is resumed. If a PLAYING BALL goes out of bounds, it is out of play for that SCUTL. Any ball which comes to rest in a HOME CORNER is considered out of bounds. Each player stands at his designed corner within a radius of three feet. This becomes his HOME CORNER. Partners are required, as a general rule, to play from the aforementioned OPPOSITE CORNERS and play is clockwise. All players must, of course, choose and play from a recognized HOME CORNER. After all players have had their turns the first SCUTL is regarded as completed. The TARGOT BALL must be replaced on the red center marker before the next SCUTL is started. Four SCUTLS are considered a regulation game, after which each players total points are counted in order to determine the winner or winners.

Taking up now the matter of scoring it is significant to agree that each time the TARGOT BALL is touched, this achievement counts 3 points. Each time a PLAYING BALL is touched counts 1 point. A ball closest to the TARGOT BALL counts 1 point. The game is over when Cir 4 four SCUTLS have been played. When three participants play, three SCUTLS constitute a game. The losers are SCUTLBUTS.

Players playing out of turn or out of their HOME CORNERS lose their turn and receive no points. Struck balls should be replaced as near as possible to their original positions. In case of tie, play an extra SCUTL, called a SCUTL-OFF to decide the SCUTLRS. When two players are playing SCUTL-BALL, they will stand in opposite HOME CORNERS. When three players are playing, they will change HOME CORNERS at the end of each SCUTL, moving to the next corner to their left. Three SCUTLS complete a game.

When a players turn comes up and before he rolls his PLAYING BALL, he may if he chooses, call his roll. By doing this, if he is successful, he will receive a double score. If, however, he misses the called roll, he loses the possible score he would have made, plus any score that would have been made on any other balls touched that were not called. This makes for added interest, but should not be tried by the inexperienced player. Obviously, since a player has but one turn in each SCUTL, he will look for the roll that will make the most points. Sometimes, however, it is to his advantage to pass up an easier roll for a more valuable roll.

Using a double set of playing balls, two teams of four players each, may play DUBL-SCUTL-BALL. It is possible to form a league of teams, following the same general rules of regular SCUTL-BALL. With only one player of each team standing in each home corner, players may have a very interesting game. Starting players on teams may be chosen by a fiip of a coin. Each team will have a captain who will start first if his team is chosen to start first. Captains do not necessarily have to be in the same HOME CORNER. White balls will be used by one team and black balls by the other team.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. An outdoor bowling game comprising a substantially level fiat-surfaced foundation embodying a rectangular playing court marginally delineated by a pair of like longitudinally straight spaced parallel side boundary lines having opposed terminal ends connected to and joined by a pair of straight spaced parallel end boundary lines, said thus connected boundary lines providing four distinct right angular corners for participating competitive players, each corner being alike and being provided with a complemental arcuately curved demarcation line located within the confines of a predetermined limited corner area, said curved line having its ends joined with terminal end portions of the respectively cooperating side and end boundary lines and the curvature being such that the lineenclosed area provides a distinctive sector-shaped corner zone, a thin fiat sheet material marker disk proportional in size with and smaller than said corner zone, said disk being centrally aligned flatwise with the junctional ends of the side and end boundary lines and operatively but removably fastened in its given position, a court center designating and marker disk located at the center-point of said court and likewise comprising a thin fiat sheet material disk, all of said disks being substantially the same in diameter, and a plurality of rollable playing balls adapted to be rolled by the participants from the respective corner zones to selected areas within the confines of said court.

2. The bowling game defined in and according to claim 1 and wherein there are five marker disks, the center disk being colored red, two of the comer marker disks being white, the other two corner disks being black whereb to permit the respective corner zones to be distinguished from each other and also distinguished from said center marker, said white disks being located at two diagonally opposite corner zones of the court, and said black disks being likewise located at the two remaining diagonally opposite corner zones of said court.

3. The bowling game defined in and according to claim 2 and wherein five balls are provided for use in conjunction with the centrally marked court and the individually marked corner zones, one ball being color-coded red and being adapted for use in conjunction with the aforementioned red center marker disk, the remaining four balls constituting participant playing balls, there being two white balls and two black balls which are such in size and weight that they are conveniently adapted to be rolled over the surface of the court when being properly and permissibly used by the players, all of said balls being of the same size and same weight.

4. The bowling game defined in and according to claim 3 and wherein one white 'ball has a distinguishing band circumferentially encompassing its surface and one of said black balls likewise having a circumferentially encompassing band functioning to readily differentiate it from its companion black ball.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS GEORGE J. MARLO, Primary Examiner T. ZACK, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 273-63; 40-327 

